Philadelphia Family Law Attorney

Lee A. Schwartz, Attorney at Law

230 S Broad Street Suite 1400 Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 19102 USA

 (215) 268-7814 or (866) 605-6854
 (215) 732-7790

www.pafamilyatty.com
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Law Firm Overview

Lee A. Schwartz, Attorney at Law, has practiced family law since 1981. His practice is dedicated to people with divorce, child custody, child support, alimony, protection from abuse, division of property and other family law issues.

Mr. Schwartz practices in Montgomery, Bucks, Chester, Delaware and Philadelphia counties. His rates are reasonable and are directly related to the factors of your individual case. All cases are handled personally by Mr. Schwartz; no other lawyer will generally be with you in court. Mr. Schwartz's practice is evenly divided between representing men and women.

Mr. Schwartz is associated with the Spear Wilderman Law Firm, a full-service law firm at 230 South Broad Street in Philadelphia. The firm has the resources to assist you in almost any legal matter that may arise in addition to your family law case.

Practice Areas

Additional Practice Areas: Division of Property; Enforcement Orders; Same Sex Issues; Modifications; Postnuptial Agreements

Practice Areas Description

- Divorce and Separation

Pennsylvania doesn't recognize the status of legal separation : you are either married or you are not. However, you and your spouse can have a separation agreement if you are not living together. In Pennsylvania, two people can be separated even if they still reside in the same household. If you do decide to divorce, choosing an experienced family law attorney is perhaps one of the most important decisions you will make. Your choice will influence much of your future, including how you divide assets, whether you are entitled to or will have to pay alimony and support, and child custody arrangements.

- Alimony

The purpose of alimony (also known as spousal maintenance) is to provide the family court with a way to somewhat equalize post-divorce incomes for a couple. It is also designed to provide the dependent spouse who makes less income with a fresh start. It is not, however, appropriate in all cases.

- Division of Property

Unless there is a premarital agreement or post-nuptial agreement, division of marital property and financial asset division, including division of retirement accounts and business assets, in a Pennsylvania divorce starts from a premise of equal sharing. In most cases, actual property division does not end up being 50-50. Pennsylvania's divorce code lists several factors that can determine whether deviating from equal sharing is warranted.

- Child Custody and Visitation

Child custody in Pennsylvania can be as creative as you need it to be. In some cases, one party will have primary custody while the other can expect every other weekend visits. Other possible arrangements include a 50-50 or a shared physical custody arrangement. I represent both mothers and fathers in custodial disputes. I also represent grandparents and other third parties with their grandchildren. Once a custody arrangement is made, the expectation is that it will be maintained and followed. It is critical that you consult with an experienced attorney if you plan on moving to a different city or state, or if your child's other parent is moving. Any relocation that impacts the custodial schedule needs court approval before relocating. There is a specific, step-by-step, legally required procedure you must follow before a parent relocates.

- Child Support

For the vast majority in Pennsylvania, child support is determined by the Pennsylvania Support Guidelines, which provide a basic child support figure using a formula based on total income of each parent and number of children. Each parent's obligation is a percentage based on income; however, support paid by high-income individuals involves a much more complicated process. Support modifications also become necessary as circumstances change.

- Enforcement of Orders

When parents fail to meet their court-ordered custody and support responsibilities, they may be charged with contempt of court. To work through disputes, the court may assign a parent coordinator to work with the parents to resolve the problems without a judge and without the need of an enforcement order.

- Same Sex Issues

I represent same-sex couples in a variety of family issues, including cohabitation and dissolution agreements and adoptions. I have significant experience in dealing with these unique issues.

- Support and Custody Modifications

Any custody or support orders in Pennsylvania are open to modification or separation because they are focused on the rights of the child, not the parents. Modifications to support or custody orders can be made following a significant change in circumstances, increase or decrease in income or loss of employment.

- Alternative Dispute Resolution

Parties involved in family law matters may choose to resolve their differences through nonjudicial means. The most common forms of alternative dispute resolution (ADR) include collaboration, mediation and arbitration.

- Prenuptial and Postnuptial Agreements

With more people getting married later in life, or entering second and third marriages, people bring an accumulation of property into marriage. While that property is not a marital asset in Pennsylvania, the increase in value during the marriage can be. A prenuptial agreement or postnuptial agreement allows you and your future spouse to keep accumulated assets separate and to provide for a host of other issues.

- Protection From Abuse

Charges of spousal or child abuse are sometimes made in the early stages of a domestic dispute. If your spouse has filed for a protection order (also called a restraining order ), or if you believe you need to file for such an order, you and your lawyer need the vision to analyze whether there are long-term implications to such an order. I can represent your interests in a domestic abuse situation, including helping you obtain an emergency custody order if necessary.

Attorneys

Mr. Lee A. Schwartz Attorney Divorce, Family Law, Pre-nuptial Agreement

More Information on Lee A. Schwartz, Attorney at Law

Family Law Attorney in Philadelphia, PA
Divorce Attorney in Philadelphia, PA
Philadelphia Legal Separation Lawyer
Spousal Support Lawyer in Philadelphia
Philadelphia, PA Child Custody Attorney
Philadelphia, PA Child Support Law Firm
Philadelphia Prenuptial Agreement Lawyer
Spousal Abuse Lawyer in Philadelphia, PA
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